The permanent secretary, Akwa Ibom State Ministry of Sports, Joseph Edem has said the state contingent is prepared to finish tops at the 2016 National Youth Games.
Edem, who spoke with sports journalists on arrival in Ilorin on Friday, said Akwa Ibom State, this time, is battle-ready to surpass the second place finish it recorded in the maiden Games hosted by the FCT, Abuja in 2013.
Edem added that Akwa Ibom State government had created an enabling environment for the athletes to excel at the Games, adding that “our athletes are well prepared for the Games and in high spirits to finish as champions.”
He further urged the Federal Government to take the Youth Games seriously, citing the event as a platform to unearth future stars for the country at the grassroots.
Edem noted that stiff sanctions be meted out to any state caught to have fielded overage athletes during the Games, as he suggested ban of such state from subsequent age-grade competitions.
He disclosed that Akwa Ibom State would compete in 14 events with 76 athletes and 32 technical officials in the week-long fiesta.
It will be recalled that Cross River State won the maiden edition of the National Youth Games staged in Abuja, while Akwa Ibom and Delta states finished as second and third-placed teams respectively.
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